BURSTOn Aug. 27, Alan “Hevy Duty” Stevenson underwent emergency neurosurgery after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, according to a GoFundMe by Ryan Block and Erica Olson. He is now stable and recovering in intensive care at Lions Gate Hospital.
Hevy Duty is a fixture in the Squamish climbing scene who’s been developing routes and building communities for decades. From a 2011 Gripped magazine story about Squamish route developers: “Hevy Duty is an expat Brit in his early 60s [now 70s]; his roughened, lined hands tell of a life well lived. Unlike some of the other Diggers, Hevy is anything but shy. His short, bleached blond hair contrasts with the streaked blue pigtail on the side of his coif. His personality is as spirited as his haircut: in an English accent as thick as an old growth cedar, he’ll willingly tell anyone about his work.”
According to the GoFundMe, “Hevy has a long road to recovery ahead, including ongoing medical care, medications, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. As a visitor, he is unfortunately not covered by health insurance, leaving his family facing significant medical and related expenses…. If Hevy has touched your life, whether in Squamish, Yosemite, the UK, the desert Southwest, Colorado, or anywhere in between, please consider donating. Every contribution will help support his recovery and the year of care ahead.”
About the climbing potential in Squamish 15 years ago, Hevy said, “There’s so much potential on The Chief. There’s more unclimbed rock I can see than in the whole of the UK.” To support Hevy visit the GoFundMe here. And visit Hevy’s Instagram for some throwback photos and stories.
Hevy Duty in The Alpinist
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